Course Syllabus

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Mrs. May’s Honors English II

tamara.may@ucps.k12.nc.us

 

Spring Break 2021 in Greece -For more details click the link - Grecian Odyssey:Link

 

Welcome to Honors English II. There will be a strong emphasis on critical thinking, literary analysis, vocabulary development, rhetoric, composition, and foundation grammar concepts in this course. Mastering these skills will ensure that students are meeting the standards for the Common Core Curriculum and are prepared for the End-Of-Course examination for English II.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students in English II will focus on world literature that taps into their understanding of cultures and societies from a global perspective. Selected texts, both print and non-print, will help students to recognize and appreciate elements of the human condition that cross cultural barriers, while deepening their understanding of the differences among societies that often lead to conflict. A variety of reading, writing, oral literacy, and research strategies will facilitate students’ examination of world literature, both classical and contemporary, with a particular emphasis being placed on writing and Common Core standards. We will also prepare for the English II EOC.
Students will examine language as it is used to inform, persuade, and express ideas, as well as investigate the author’s purpose, style, intended audience, and context. Students at this level will also study grammatical conventions as they make choices in their own writing and develop portfolios which exhibit growth and mastery over various writing formats.

MATERIALS NEEDED

  • loose leaf paper – college-ruled (at least 150 sheets)
  • pens/pencils
  • Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – ISBN: 978-1594483851 (Need by February 3rd )
  • First They Killed my Father by Loung Ung – ISBN: 978-0060856267 or Falling Leaves: The Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah - ISBN:978-0767903578  or Life Laid Bare The Survivors in Rwanda Speak by Jean Hatzfeld - ISBN-13: 978-1590512739 or From Broken Glass by Steve Ross - ISBN-13: 978-0316513043, or Empire of the Summer Moon by SC Gwynne ISBN-13: 978-1416591061 (Need by March 1st )
  • If you cannot procure a copy of the required novels, please let me know as soon as possible because we do not have class sets of these.

 

LITERATURE: MAJOR WORKS

Throughout this year, we will study short stories from around the world, poetry, non-fiction and the following longer works of fiction: (selections may change as needed)                                                    

 

  • A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
  • Night by Elie Wiesel and at least one of the independent novels chosen from the list above.

 

A note about reading material: 

Students will critically analyze representative print materials from different world cultures and time periods as they explore and create an understanding of cultures and societies from a global perspective. Texts are chosen that will allow students to analyze the culture and compare the literature of certain regions to texts from other regions around the world.

There may be some books that we will read that have controversial themes and/or some controversial language. While Marvin Ridge does not condone the use of this language, it is used by authors to maintain realism in their works or to make a specific point.

 

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

  • Be respectful.
  • Be prepared.
  • No food or drink allowed in the classroom.
  • No electronic devices – cell phones and iPods must be off at all times and in the pocket holder on the wall.
  • Cheating is a major violation and will result in a zero – plagiarism is considered cheating.
  • Follow the discipline policy in the student handbook

 

 GRADES

Grades are based on work completed and determined by percentages.  The final exam (EOC) will count as 25% of the final grade.

  • Tests, quizzes and projects – 60%
  • Class work -  40%

 

LATE WORK

Late work will receive a deduction of ten points for each day it is late.  Late work will not be accepted if it is more than 48 hours late.

 

ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP WORK

It is your responsibility to check the “while you were out…” drawers for any missed work.  You will not be reminded about missed work.

  • You are expected to make up any work missed because of an absence.  In some cases, I may give you alternative assignments.
  • Ask a classroom partner for class notes.
  • Schedule all make-up quizzes and tests with me upon your return.
  • If an assignment was due while you were absent, it should be turned in on your first day back to school. 
  • PLEASE NOTE:  All make-up work must be completed in accordance with school policy.  Any work that is not completed in the established time frame is late and will not be accepted.

 

PARENT CONTACT

Please feel free to contact me at 704-290-1520, or you may e-mail me at tamara.may@ucps.k12.nc.us. Please schedule formal conferences that will include other teachers through the guidance office.

 

Please cut along the dotted line and return the bottom portion of this letter to Mrs. May by January 27th.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due